Poetry is a suggestive art Using symbols and direct imitation of Life, it stimulates the imagination of the reader through imagery, taking the stronghold of their feelings, arousing them to a passionate reaction. It also appeals to understanding, and is, therefore, capable of directing lessons of wisdom.Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, recollected in tranquility. It reflects the beauty of thought, of feeling, of expression and technical skill. It should be an outlet for one's own unspoken thoughts and varied moods. It makes articulate, our inadequate speech giving adequate expression to our static, yet kinetic loves, joys, glories, furnishing release and relief of one's fears, grief, and sorrows.
Poetry cleanses by telling the truth. At least good poetry should. It tells the truth through an economy of words, by naming difficult and often inaccessible feelings. The late Jane Kenyon lifted up the artist task in this way, "The Poet's job is to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, in such a beautiful way that people cannot live without it.'
It makes important, the commonplace, the elemental in life and can give meaning to the simplest things in creation.